UGN books UGN books
What were our most read book reviews? Take a look...
Do you use a computer? Do you use a cell phone, palm-top, iPod, or other digital device? If you do, then this book should interest you. Revolution in The Valley : The Insanely Great Story of How the Mac Was Made by Andy Hertzfeld was actually released very late into December of 2004, but stands as our pick for the best book of 2005 for computer users. Yes, it's about the Macintosh, but it's also about the way we interface with digital devices today. It's about the people who brought computing out of the closed rooms of industry and into the hands of the general population. If you've viewed a digital photograph, or clicked on an icon, then you can thank author Andy Hertzfeld. Steve Wozniak says
" it's chilling to recall how this cast of young and inexperienced people who cared more than anything about doing great things created what is perhaps the key technology of our lives."
Alan Kay once said:
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it... "
This is the story of how they did it.
Photoshop CS2 : Up To Speed with Ben Willmore
This is must reading for anyone moving from CS to CS2. In fact it just might be the only book you need because Adobe has recycled most of version 7 and CS into CS2. This is a thin book, containing ONLY the essential differences and necessary cautions of the upgrade. Beside the upgrade aspect, it's also a indispensable tips book that should be kept close at hand for all Photoshop users.
Photoshop Photo Effects Cookbook
This monumental work by Tim Shelbourne is part of O'Reilly's new "Cookbook" series, and totally immerses you in the awesome powers of Photoshop and image editing. It's text and presentation is second to none, and it must find its way to your bookshelf. Tim's "Photo to Pencil Sketch" chapter alone is worth the ticket price. Read the feature article in DTG Magazine, or check Amazon.com.
A Comprehensive Guide to Digital Photographic Output
Duncan Evans brings us one of the nicer books on this topic in a long, long time. AVA's new Digital Photographic Output by Duncan Evans covers virtually all issues surrounding digital photography for both beginners and intermediates, he does so with clear, succinct writing and thoroughly enjoyable visuals. Yes, he covers the mundane -- and yes, many experienced pros may find the book too simple.
U&Lc: Influencing design & typography
Publisher Mark Batty has done everyone in the visual communications industry a huge favor by bringing John D. Berry into the mission of preserving and purveying the best of U&lc. Now everyone can enjoy the same visual treat many old-timers in the design industry have dazzled over for years in this spectacular volume. Once you open this the book, you'll quickly see why we say this is a BEST BUY for graphic designers everywhere!
Spring Into HTML and CSS
We love this book, and we love Molly Holzschlag! She's helped more web designers through more hard times than any other web design author. This book has got the best hand on quick, efficient intake of the essential nuances of the latest CSS structure for getting the job done fast. It's also got the all-important tips and tricks on how to work around all those buggy browsers out there. This is the fastest route to a solid grounding in CSS. You cannot go wrong with this one!
Taking eBay Photos That Sell
eBay has become ubiquitous with the online world... even your granny is probably shopping on eBay right now! Successful online sellers know that a product photo can make or break a sale. But taking a good product shot is not easy. That's where Dan Gookin, Robert Birnbach come in. They'll show you how to take the winning photos you need to sell, sell well and sell high -- without spending a fortune on equipment. If you do eBay, do this!
The Illustrator WOW Book
Year after year, upgrade after upgrade, Sharon Steuer consistently brings the very finest compendium on Adobe Illustrator available. Wile other WOW books and Bibles fade into dust, Sharon brings Illustrator users everywhere the WOW they need.We're not even going to take you to our review -- it's that good. Just go ahead and buy it now -- and if you buy this one along with the Real World Adobe Illustrator CS2 book, you'll have everything you need to take you all the way to master status.
O'Reilly Publishing
O'Reilly has had some fifty "cookbooks" in the past several years, but they were focused on programming and specific areas of deep, dark computing. This year O'Reilly launched their digital graphics "Cookbooks" series with an all new look and splash. They are wonderfully crafted, written and produced and now offer some of the best value available in the market today. Our Photoshop Book of the year (above) is our favorite, but you'll take great delight in any of these titles: Photoshop Retouching Cookbook for Digital Photographers : 113 Easy-to-Follow Recipes to Improve Your Photos and Create Special Effects by Barry Huggins;
Photoshop Blending Modes Cookbook for Digital Photographers : 48 Easy-to-Follow Recipes to Fix Problem Photos and Create Amazing Effects by John Beardsworth; Digital Video Production Cookbook : 100 Professional Techniques for Independent and Amateur Filmmakers by Chris Kenworthy and last but not least, the InDesign Production Cookbook by Alistair Dabbs, et al.
Keep up the great work, O'Reilly!